Category Archives: Live Reviews

This was our first time attending Slam Dunk since it moved from Wolverhampton to Birmingham’s NEC. On the way in, logistically, it was striking how much added security was around in the wake of the Manchester attack. Understandable, but some things like a separate queue for those who already had their wristbands would have been […]

Sorority Noise took to the stage at a packed out Bodega and immediately launched into a set which saw the band showcase their past two records Joy, Departed and Forgettable. The band have gone from strength to strength lately, yet it was still rather surprising to see just how full the venue was and that the majority of […]

At the beginning of this year, American indie rock band Pinegrove released Cardinal. It was put out on Run For Cover records after the band signed to them in late 2015. The snowballing support for Pinegrove hasn’t just seen them gain thousands of Facebook likes, but has translated into almost tangible energy at live shows. […]

Woahnows opened up proceedings at a very busy Bodega, providing the crowd with their brand of indie-punk. Their songs are catchy, and they’re musically very tight. Always a load of fun to see live, and they certainly seemed to go down with the audience. Up second were Apologies, I Have None, who don’t make it […]

I love it when a free gig rolls around. I feel bad, opting to turn up for the events I don’t have to give anything back for, but still, there’s that tantalising possibility that I could be anyone stumbling through the too many curtains (I got a bit tangled) between Green Door Store’s bar area […]

It had been a year since Defeater’s last headline show at the Rainbow Courtyard, but a cold Monday night see them return in support of their latest release, Abandoned. Kids Insane from Israel played an impressive set off fast, aggressive hardcore. Very punk-heavy hardcore. The band said thanks to the crowd more than once, and seem […]

Little Bribes kicked things off at a surprisingly busy Rock City Basement. It’s always nice to see a local band doing so well, and even better when they’re actually really good. After building up into “Reboot”, with its catchy riff and raging chorus, the band continued to blast through their songs – with each one […]

Here’s a great co-headline tour. Two giants from the US emo scene playing the smallest room at the O2 Institute in Birmingham while Sum 41 headlined the big room downstairs. Up first was mewithoutYou, bringing to Birmingham their frantic, genre-defying live set. They kicked things off quietly, with “Pale Horse” before getting more and more […]

Kevin Devine and the Goddamn Band opened up the packed The Front Bottoms headline show to a crowd who seemed relatively disinterested at first. Of course, Kevin is an incredible musician, backed by a great band, and is a master at getting the crowd on side. The first few songs seem to be met by […]

Petal took to the stage at a quiet Bodega and quickly started playing songs from her first album, Shame. Usually a full band affair with touring members including those from Tigers Jaw and Three Man Cannon, tonight saw just vocalist/guitarist Kiley playing the songs solo. She powered through songs such as “Tommy” with huge singalong […]